delivering mentoring to participants who want to learn from the experience of mentors, in their fields.

MENTORING

delivering mentoring to participants who want to learn from the experience of mentors, in their fields.

Mentoring for Change

Are you interested in mentoring or be mentored?

The Mentoring for Change program assists internationally trained professional newcomers in their settlement process, language skill development, and search for professional employment by matching them with suitable mentors.

Our Mentoring Options

Settlement and language mentoring helps identify resources for new Canadians and assists with improving their communication skills.

Mentoring for employment provides support and assistance to internationally-trained professional newcomers to overcome the barriers they face in their search for suitable employment. Up to 70 per cent of participants in employment mentoring gain employment in their fields.

Services available to individuals who

Have a professional qualification outside of Canada

Have been in Canada for 4 years or less

Have little or no Canadian experience in their profession

Have a minimum of two years of professional experience outside of Canada

Have Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7

Are able to spend at least 20 hours a week in active job search

Are able to commit to meeting with a mentor for 4 hours a month for 4 months

Are highly motivated and committed to looking for work in their profession in Canada.

Find a Mentor

To participate in Skills for Change’s mentoring program, and if you qualify for the program, you can register directly here. Be sure to discuss this opportunity with a counsellor, who will assess whether mentoring is right for you and register you with the program, or register via our e-mentoring portal.

A mentor can clarify your expectations, talk candidly about what you need to succeed, and in many cases, introduce you to great new people.

Skills for Change offers three types of mentoring:

Employment: We partner you with a mentor who will support your career development through a one-on-one relationship. An employment mentor can help you build a network of contacts and gain local insights into your profession.

Language: An English language mentor will give you a chance to practice and improve your language skills. Our mentors have an excellent command of the English language.

Settlement: Mentors can help you navigate Canadian culture and everyday life in Toronto, and introduce you to community resources while improving your communication skills and self-confidence.

Our mentors are established professionals with a minimum of 2 years of experience in their fields in Canada. They are also open-minded and enjoy interacting with mentees who have come from around the world to make Canada their home.

We welcome individuals from all professional backgrounds to become part of the mentoring program.

Get involved in a rewarding volunteer experience. Mentoring includes professional development, language skills, and helping newcomers settle into a new life in Canada.

Mentoring takes as little as one hour per week over four months. Meetings can can occur at a mutually convenient time and place. If distance or schedule makes in-person meetings difficult, mentoring is also very effective via telephone and online.

We also hold regular mentor orientation evenings and encourage you to attend one of our information and orientation sessions for mentors. You will learn more about becoming a mentor, strategies for a successful mentoring relationship, and you will meet mentors who will share their experience with you.

Skills for Change has developed a curriculum and process manual that is used in our Mentoring for Change program and for external training. We offer “Train-the-Trainer” workshops and will customize mentoring modules to suit your organizational needs.